Interdisciplinary Applied Data Analytics Certificate

Program Coordinator: Rebecca Asch (3417 Life Sciences and Biotechnology Building; 252-328-6307; aschr16@ecu.edu)

The Interdisciplinary Applied Data Analytics Certificate prepares students to use practical data-driven research methods within their research and professional careers. While interdisciplinary, the certificate focuses primarily on students who are pursuing careers and research focused on solving real-life problems affecting people and ecosystems. The certificate program is organized around three major categories of courses: principles of applied statistics, computational tools, and application areas. The certificate requires that students select at least one course from each category.

The program includes:

• Coursework introducing primary methodologies, tools, and applications in data science.
• Multiple pathways to gain core data science competencies relevant to a student’s research domain.
• Up to 3 credit hours of equivalent informal training can be used to demonstrate introductory skill development.
• 9 credit hours of applied data science courses to demonstrate advanced mastery and application of data science knowledge and skills.
• Completion of the capstone project (1-3 credit hours): Students will prepare a prospectus describing proposed data science analyses to be completed as part of their capstone project.  The prospectus will be reviewed and approved by an advisory committee organized by the student.  Analyses to be completed as part of the capstone project should address an applied research question and must fall into at least two of these categories: statistical analysis, machine learning techniques, numerical modeling or simulation, geospatial analysis or visualization, time series analysis, text analysis, or data visualization. 

The certificate requires 11-13 s.h.